Abbe Faria Biography 
Abbe Faria was a Luso-Goan Catholic monk from Bardez, Goa who was one of the pioneers of the scientific study of hypnotism. He lived during the period, 31 May 1756 – 20 September 1819. Faria understood that it worked purely by the power of suggestion and he introduced oriental hypnosis to Paris by early 19th century. He was a herbalist who was the only person known to have ever escaped from Deireadh prison in Oxenfurt. Faria faked his own death by consuming a mixture of sleeping mushrooms, and as per procedures when his ‘dead’ body was thrown into a pit, he used an outlet that lead into the river to escape. The procedure to cremate dead bodies began only after that.
His birth name is José Custódio de Faria. He was born in Portuguese Goa on 31 May 1756. Caetano Vitorino de Faria of Colvale, and Rosa Maria de Sousa of Candolim were his parents. He also had an adopted sister, Catarina who was an orphan. His parents legally separated because of indifferences. Caetano Vitorino later accepted priesthood while Rosa Maria became a nun. Faria reached Lisbon in 1771 with his father. Later he completed his studies in priesthood and earned his doctorate as well.
He was implicated in the Conspiracy of the Pintos during 1787 and he moved to Paris in 1788. While at Paris he became a leader of one of the revolutionary battalions. Abbé Faria is credited to bring several reforms in the scientific study of hypnotism. He was one of the first to depart from the theory of the "magnetic fluid". He termed nervous sleep belongs to the natural order. Magnetism is only a form of sleep. There is a bronze statue in central Panjim, Goa dedicated to him and his 250th anniversary was celebrated in Goa in 2006. A postcard of his statue was also released.
Published: February 15, 2019
Updated: February 15, 2019
